Preview: Five talking points ahead of Bolton Wanderers v Cardiff City

As Wanderers host Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon in their final league outing before Christmas, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points ahead of the Whites' Sky Bet Championship clash with the Bluebirds.

1. Last home game of the year

Wanderers take on Cardiff City in their final game before Christmas and final home game of 2017 on Saturday!

Having been unbeaten from their last five home outings, the Whites will be looking to respond after suffering defeat last time out against Burton Albion.

Opening October, November and December with victories against Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City and Barnsley respectively, the Whites had only late goals to curse for not also clinching maximum points against Queens Park Rangers and Reading.

Eager to put last weekend's home disappointment against the Brewers behind them, Phil Parkinson's men will be looking to make home advantage count heading into a busy festive period.

Can Bolton maintain their recent home form? Get down to Macron Stadium this Saturday and back the boys! Buy tickets online HERE!

2. Bouncing back

After losing just once from their nine outings since the start of October, the Trotters' will be determined to bounce back this weekend following back-to-back defeats against Nottingham Forest and Burton Albion.

Having fallen back into the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone, Wanderers' next run of fixtures could be decisive come the end of the season with a victory capable of taking them out of the bottom three if other results go their way.

Facing off against the second tier's current second-placed side, the Whites will need to put in one of their performances of the season if they are to get a result.

Determined to make home advantage count, a victory for Bolton would offer real momentum with every point vital in the upcoming festive run of games.

3. Team news

Phil Parkinson reported no additional injury news heading into Saturday's game with Cardiff.

Mark Little could come back into contention after missing last week's game with Burton through, having returned to training after having an injection in his back earlier in the week.

4. Former Bluebirds

A number of Trotters stars could face their former club on Saturday as Wanderers welcome Cardiff to Macron Stadium.

Craig Noone enjoyed a successful four-and-a-half stint in South Wales and could face his former side for the first time since moving to BL6 in the summer.

Elsewhere, Sammy Ameobi spent the 2015/16 season on loan with the Bluebirds, Andrew Taylor and Adam Le Fondre enjoyed three seasons with Cardiff and Mark Howard also had a one-year spell with the club.

While all five might not be guaranteed to take to the field against the former club, they will all be hungry to get one over on their former club as the Whites look to head into the upcoming festive period on a high.

5. It's Christmas!

The Carrs Pasties Family Stand will be a hive of festive fun when Wanderers take on Cardiff City this Saturday with a number of family friendly activities taking place prior to kick-off.

With many families taking up the free match ticket offer after purchasing tickets for the Aladdin Pantomime, the club is looking forward to welcoming plenty of first time supporters to Macron Stadium for the Sky Bet Championship fixture.

In conjunction with the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, children will be given selection boxes which have been kindly donated by Westhoughton-based business Gee Tees.

The Hoover Band will be playing Christmas carols throughout the afternoon while a number of free activities for children to take part in, including face painting and balloon modelling, will be available.

Several Bolton Wanderers footballers will also be in the family stand to meet up with supporters to sign autographs and have their photos taken prior to kick off.

The usual football and FIFA skills activities will be in operation with a fun, festive element to them, and the winner of the FIFA skills tournament will be presented with a £50 voucher courtesy of GAME UK.

Lofty Junior will be there keeping a watchful eye on proceedings and joining in on the fun.

Turnstiles will open at 1.45pm, which is earlier than normal, and supporters are advised to attend as early as possible to take part in the fun.

Report: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Cardiff City

Wanderers picked up all three points with a hard-fought victory over Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

In a game of few chances, the deadlock was broken with 15 minutes remaining as Gary Madine fired home from the penalty spot following a handball by Sol Bamba in the area.

And the Whites' advantage was doubled with two minutes to go as Madine turned assist maker for Josh Vela to tap home from six yards out and make sure of the victory for Phil Parkinson's men.

TEAM NEWS

There were a handful of changes for Wanderers, with Mark Little coming back into the fray in place of Stephen Darby whilst Andrew Taylor occupied the left-back berth for the Whites ahead of Antonee Robinson.

FIRST HALF

Wanderers started brightly in the clash, with Sammy Ameobi looking sprightly early on against his former loan side.

Cardiff also showed their worth with a couple of mazy runs into Bolton’s third, but they found themselves coming up against a stubborn Bolton backline as they searched for a sight of goal.

The first opportunity of the game however didn’t come until the tenth minute, with Ameobi’s 30-yard effort always losing power en route as it fell kindly for Neil Etheridge at his near post.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing then enjoyed a chance to put the visitors ahead, but he saw his drilled effort from the edge of the box blocked by Mark Beevers six yards away from the goalmouth.

A goalmouth scramble ensued for Wanderers just short of the 17 minute mark too, with Little’s thunderous long-range effort come its conclusion wide of the mark.

Cardiff thought they had taken the lead meanwhile in the 28th minute as Junior Hoilett turned the ball home from a yard out, but his effort was belatedly flagged up for offside by the assistant referee.

With the first half ticking by, frustration was evident for both sides as they struggled to break down each other’s respective defences, with the game having a very disjointed feel to it.

Phil Parkinson’s men also saw a dangerous cross from Josh Vela cleared away at the death with five minutes of the first period left with Madine and Ameobi lurking for the home side.

But come the break, the scores were goalless.

SECOND HALF

With no changes, the second period got underway and it was the visitors who started strongly, with Wanderers having to be on their guard early on.

But as with the opening 45, goalmouth chances were few and far between inside the early stages.

With neither goalkeeper having been troubled, the first substitution of the match came on the hour mark as former Bluebird Craig Noone was introduced into the fray in place of Will Buckley for the Whites.

Five minutes later though, the game came to life as Madine chased the ball downfield, with Wheater's 35-yard effort being blocked as it powered its way goalwards.

That chance appeared to be just the tonic that the game needed, with it coming to life thereafter.

With 16 minutes left however, Wanderers were handed a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Sol Bamba handled Wheater's header in the area.

And cool as you like, Madine stepped up to place the ball into the bottom corner of the net from 12 yards past a helpless Etheridge to send Macron Stadium into raptures.

Frustrations were boiling over for the visitors, with a flurry of yellow cards being brandished to the Bluebirds for a succession of fouls.

And it was almost two with seven minutes left as Ameobi looped a cross into the six yard box, with Pratley's flick-on seeing the ball fly agonisingly wide of the post.

Wanderers were giving absolutely everything to protect their lead, but they needn't have worried as they doubled their advantage with two minutes left as Madine unselfishly teed up Vela to slot home from six yards.

And even though six minutes of additional time were indicated, it mattered not as Wanderers ran out comfortable winners.

Ticket bulletin: Friday 22 December

Welcome to the ticket update for Friday 22 December. Here you will find all the information you need in a simple-to-read format regarding match tickets for Bolton Wanderers' upcoming fixtures.

WHO

WHEN

STATUS

PRICE

Cardiff City (H)

Saturday 23 December

3pm

Open sale

Adults from £26

Over-65s from £20

Under-23s from £20

Under-18s: £10

Under-12s: £8

Family Ticket (one adult and one Under-18): £30*

Middlesbrough (A)

Tuesday 26 December

3pm

Open sale

Adults: £30

Over-65s: £20

Under-18s: £17

Sheffield United (A)

Saturday 30 December

3pm

Open sale

Adults: £27

Over-60s: £21

Under-22s: £16

Students: £16

Under-18s: £14

Hull City (H)

Monday 1 January

3pm

Open sale

Adults from £30

Over-65s from £24

Under-23s from £24

Under-18s: £12

Under-12s: £10

Family Ticket (one adult and one Under-18): £40*

Huddersfield Town (H)

Saturday 6 January

3pm

Open sale

Adults: £15

Concessions: £5

*Family Tickets are only available to purchase in the Bolton at Home Family Stand, situated in the North Stand Upper Tier

Corporate hospitality packages at home games are also available to Bolton Wanderers supporters. For more information email sales@bwfc.co.uk, phone the commercial team on 01204 673761, or buy online HERE.

Tickets and official club travel can be bought online at www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc, in-person at Bolton Central or over the phone on 0844 871 2932 then press option two followed by option one.

Please note, it is a criminal offence to take alcohol onto coaches which are travelling to sporting events as per The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985. Bolton Wanderers reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone in possession or under the influence of alcohol. Any alcohol found on the coach will be confiscated.